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Spanish 21 Blackjack
Spanish 21 has quite a few rules changes from your standard Blackjack game. These changes, though numerous are quite easy to learn- and they also give a very low house edge. The low house edge means that in some cases your odds of winning are even better than the classic Blackjack game. The pace is fairly fast, but that is part of the allure.
How to Play Spanish 21 Blackjack
Here are the important differences you need to know when playing Spanish 21 Blackjack
- All numbered 10's are removed from the deck.
- Jacks, Kings and Queens remain and are still valued at 10
- Either 6 or 8 decks are used
- Dealer may hit or stand on a soft 17
- Instead of a push, a player's 21 always beats a dealer's 21
- A player's Blackjack also beats a dealer's Blackjack
- A player can almost always hit or double down after splitting aces, though a few online casinos no longer allow this (check the rules for more assistance).
- A player may surrender and lose half their bet if they are not satisfied with the first two cards of their hand.. However, they may not do so if the dealer has Blackjack.
- After doubling down, a player may surrender if they don't like their hand, provided they did not bust. Surrendering means you get the doubled-down amount back, or essentially half the total bet.
- Bonus 21 payouts are allowed on split hands, although any jackpot or super bonus is now allowed on split hands.
- The Super Bonus is awarded when a player gets a 777 suited and the dealer also has a seven in their hand. The amount varies depending on the size of your bet but is usually between $1000-$5000. All other players at the table get a $50 'envy bonus' if the rules allow.
- The payouts vary according to your hand and are as follows:
Bonus 21 Payouts |
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Cards |
Suit |
Payout |
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|
5 cards |
21 |
3:2 |
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6 cards |
21 |
2:1 |
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|
7or more cards |
21 |
3:1 |
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6-7-8 |
mixed suit |
3:2 |
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|
6-7-8 |
same suit |
2:1 |
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|
6-7-8 |
spades only |
3:1 |
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|
7-7-7 |
mixed suit |
3:2 |
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|
7-7-7 |
same suit |
2:1 |
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|
7-7-7 |
spades only |
3:1 |
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Tips for playing Spanish 21 Blackjack
- Carefully read the house rules, as there are some variations from casino to casino
- If you don't quite understand the rules but would like to play, ask questions
- Utilize free play online if available for Spanish 21
- Don't be afraid to take your time to use the strategy chart. In a game with this many decks, its especially important to use it until you reach a comfort zone.
- The Super bonus bet has extremely high house odds, and therefore is not recommended
- Try to play Spanish 21 games where redoubling is allowed. If redoubling is not allowed, you almost double the house edge, although it is still a relatively low .76%
- Keep in mind that if you can't draw to split aces, you increase the house advantage by .29%
Strategy Chart for Spanish 21 Blackjack
This is a very simplified basic strategy chart for Spanish 21 Blackjack. It is laid out well and easy to read, so make sure you have it hand when playing this exciting, fast-paced game.
